In a statement AAE Executive Director Gary Beckner said, “Wisconsinites have spoken loud and clear in favor of teacher freedom of choice.” He continued, “Teachers in Wisconsin deserve the right to vote on representation and the ability to select an organization that matches their beliefs and budget.”

Wisconsin teacher and AAE member Amy Rosno responded with this letter in the Mukwonago Chief:

Wisconsin's largest teachers union, the Wisconsin Education Association council (WEAC), is spearheading the campaign in Dane County to fight the recertification votes in November. WEAC wants to stop the vote in hopes that recertification takes place automatically.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) is defending four public schoolteachers who want to see the vote take place because, under Act 10, public unions are required to recertify each year. I am one of those four teachers.

In the last few weeks, WEAC has sent me and my colleagues emails about the recertification. Rather than simply explaining the process, the union president shared, via district email, the latest edition of the union newsletter.

For the majority of my teaching career, I was forced to be part of the union as a condition of employment. Act 10 gave me a choice to leave the union. Choice is something the union wants to take away, but isn't choice and the free exchange of ideas one of the basic principles of education?

After years of frustration with union partisan political spending and high dues, I was thrilled to learn about another organization.

The Association of American Educators (AAE) provides teachers with a choice for their professional organization. AAE is a nonunion professional association that focuses on elevating the profession of teaching and improving public education for every student.

I think it is critical that more teachers learn about this movement, which is why I have made it my mission to spread the word about teacher options in my home state. Too many teachers, like me, only join the union because of the desire for liability insurance and legal services in the event of an unfortunate incident in the classroom.

The good news is AAE provides this peace of mind to teachers. What's more is that AAE does not engage in partisan politics. Regardless of your political leanings, you can rest assured that your money is only going toward your member benefits.

We are at a crossroads in Wisconsin, and it's imperative that teachers understand their options. We must have the opportunity to vote on representation and choose alternatives that match our unique budgets and beliefs.